Books and other stuff I feel like discussing
By education and experience - Accountant with a specialty in taxation. Formerly a CPA (license has lapsed). Masters degree in law of taxation from University of Denver. Now retired. Part time work during baseball season as receptionist & switchboard operator for the Colorado Rockies. This gig feeds my soul in ways I have trouble articulating. One daughter, and four grandchildren. I share the house with two cats; a big goof of a cat called Grinch (named as a joke for his easy going "whatever" disposition); and Lady, a shelter adoptee with a regal bearing and sweet little soprano voice. I would be very bereft if it ever becomes necessary to keep house without a cat.
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Books Update
Thanks to the wonders of audio downloads from my library website, together with an eleven hour trip by train to my high school reunion, I've managed to keep up a respectable reading pace. So here's the latest:
CAUGHT by Harlan Coben
Coben has obviously given some thought to those repetitive TV shows in which alleged sexual predators are lured to meeting points which are instead wired for sound and rife with concealed TV cameras. What if one of the men inticed in that manner was actually innocent and had been caught up in a cruel game of revenge?
Coben is about as good as any writer working when it comes to portraying ordinary suburban dwellers suddenly involved in threatening events not of their own making. This latest also portrays one of the broadcasters involved in the sting, who finds herself questioning the entire scenario.
TINKERS by Paul Harding
Harding's book came out of nowhere to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Published by a small press, with minimal publicity behind it, the effect of word of mouth recommendation brought it to the attention of the judges.
An elderly man, in the last days of his life, drifts in and out of consciousness and recalls his enigmatic relationship with his own father. I enjoyed the book very much, it's the kind of fiction which lingers in your mind from one reading experience to the next. It's worth seeking out.
NOWHERE TO RUN by C J Box
Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is almost finished with an extended posting to the wilderness when he makes one last trip to the high country to investigate the reported poaching of a large elk. He encounters two men fishing, and his requests for them to produce a license are met with derision.
As the reader might expect, there's a lot more to the situation than unlicensed fishing and hunting. A political controversy extending over several states has expanded into Wyoming's back country, and eventually Joe and his entire family are at risk.
BLIND EYE by Stuart MacBride
Aberdeen cop Logan McRae struggles with the most dysfunctional set of supervising officers you will ever read about. Through it all, he manages to work efficiently, but I'm not sure how he manages.
In this entry in the series, Polish immigrants to Scotland are found blinded and horribly mutilated. MacBride skillfully mixes wry humor with mounting tension. Of the group of writers creating what has been dubbed "Scottish Noir", he's one of the best.
THE COPPER BRACELET by Jeffrey Deaver, et al
Each chapter is written by a separate author in this spy thriller. The action moves from London, to the Cote d'Azur, to Florida, to Moscow, to Paris, to China, and eventually to Kashmir where there may or may not be a threat to a large newly constructed dam. Maybe not brain candy, exactly, more like brain pretzels. Nothing wrong with a little relaxing spy fiction now and then!
DIAMOND RUBY by Joseph Wallace
Wallace was intrigued by the true story of a young woman with a killer fast ball who struck out Babe Ruth in an exhibition game. His novel is based in early 20th century New York, and features a young woman who capitalizes on her remarkable accuracy and speed with a baseball to support her family.
FATAL TRUTH by Robin Burcell
I took this paperback along for the long train ride, and it fit the bill nicely. Would also serve for a plane trip or an afternoon at the beach. Nominally a police procedural, the action focuses more on the angst of the main character, seeking answers to a bent cop in her work place as well as the death of her brother.
THE LAST OF HIS MIND by John Thorndike
When the author's father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he wished to remain in his own home. His sons arranged his finances to fit that plan, and the author moved in to care for the dying man.
In addition to the memoir of the last year of his father's life, the book also includes a summary of the father's career as an editor for LIFE magazine; the author's memories of his parents; and his own coming of age.
THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO by Junot Diaz
An examination of the immigrant experience, from the point of view of families from the Dominican Republic who now live in New Jersey near New York City.
Perhaps because of my own perceptions of my mother's conflicted emotions about her parents and her own life story, I am always intrigued by this kind of book. I can recommend it.
MARKET DAY by James Sturm
One of my book discussion groups has interested me in graphic novels. This one is based in late 19th century eastern Europe, in a small Jewish village. A rug maker begins to deal with the economic impact of the coming mechanization of textile production. Beautifully drawn, with an atmospheric color palette.
HELLHOUND ON HIS TRAIL by Hampton Sides
Exhaustively researched and packed with mind numbing detail, this could be the kind of book which put you to sleep as you studied high school history. But Sides' summary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr, and the hunt for his killer is highly readable. I only reluctantly put it down to attend to the demands of daily life.
That's it for now!
CAUGHT by Harlan Coben
Coben has obviously given some thought to those repetitive TV shows in which alleged sexual predators are lured to meeting points which are instead wired for sound and rife with concealed TV cameras. What if one of the men inticed in that manner was actually innocent and had been caught up in a cruel game of revenge?
Coben is about as good as any writer working when it comes to portraying ordinary suburban dwellers suddenly involved in threatening events not of their own making. This latest also portrays one of the broadcasters involved in the sting, who finds herself questioning the entire scenario.
TINKERS by Paul Harding
Harding's book came out of nowhere to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. Published by a small press, with minimal publicity behind it, the effect of word of mouth recommendation brought it to the attention of the judges.
An elderly man, in the last days of his life, drifts in and out of consciousness and recalls his enigmatic relationship with his own father. I enjoyed the book very much, it's the kind of fiction which lingers in your mind from one reading experience to the next. It's worth seeking out.
NOWHERE TO RUN by C J Box
Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett is almost finished with an extended posting to the wilderness when he makes one last trip to the high country to investigate the reported poaching of a large elk. He encounters two men fishing, and his requests for them to produce a license are met with derision.
As the reader might expect, there's a lot more to the situation than unlicensed fishing and hunting. A political controversy extending over several states has expanded into Wyoming's back country, and eventually Joe and his entire family are at risk.
BLIND EYE by Stuart MacBride
Aberdeen cop Logan McRae struggles with the most dysfunctional set of supervising officers you will ever read about. Through it all, he manages to work efficiently, but I'm not sure how he manages.
In this entry in the series, Polish immigrants to Scotland are found blinded and horribly mutilated. MacBride skillfully mixes wry humor with mounting tension. Of the group of writers creating what has been dubbed "Scottish Noir", he's one of the best.
THE COPPER BRACELET by Jeffrey Deaver, et al
Each chapter is written by a separate author in this spy thriller. The action moves from London, to the Cote d'Azur, to Florida, to Moscow, to Paris, to China, and eventually to Kashmir where there may or may not be a threat to a large newly constructed dam. Maybe not brain candy, exactly, more like brain pretzels. Nothing wrong with a little relaxing spy fiction now and then!
DIAMOND RUBY by Joseph Wallace
Wallace was intrigued by the true story of a young woman with a killer fast ball who struck out Babe Ruth in an exhibition game. His novel is based in early 20th century New York, and features a young woman who capitalizes on her remarkable accuracy and speed with a baseball to support her family.
FATAL TRUTH by Robin Burcell
I took this paperback along for the long train ride, and it fit the bill nicely. Would also serve for a plane trip or an afternoon at the beach. Nominally a police procedural, the action focuses more on the angst of the main character, seeking answers to a bent cop in her work place as well as the death of her brother.
THE LAST OF HIS MIND by John Thorndike
When the author's father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, he wished to remain in his own home. His sons arranged his finances to fit that plan, and the author moved in to care for the dying man.
In addition to the memoir of the last year of his father's life, the book also includes a summary of the father's career as an editor for LIFE magazine; the author's memories of his parents; and his own coming of age.
THE BRIEF WONDROUS LIFE OF OSCAR WAO by Junot Diaz
An examination of the immigrant experience, from the point of view of families from the Dominican Republic who now live in New Jersey near New York City.
Perhaps because of my own perceptions of my mother's conflicted emotions about her parents and her own life story, I am always intrigued by this kind of book. I can recommend it.
MARKET DAY by James Sturm
One of my book discussion groups has interested me in graphic novels. This one is based in late 19th century eastern Europe, in a small Jewish village. A rug maker begins to deal with the economic impact of the coming mechanization of textile production. Beautifully drawn, with an atmospheric color palette.
HELLHOUND ON HIS TRAIL by Hampton Sides
Exhaustively researched and packed with mind numbing detail, this could be the kind of book which put you to sleep as you studied high school history. But Sides' summary of the death of Martin Luther King, Jr, and the hunt for his killer is highly readable. I only reluctantly put it down to attend to the demands of daily life.
That's it for now!
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